Moonsong Glacier a tear in the membrane

Peregrine
His head whips around so fast he could have broken his neck right then and there. Shivering, shuddering, body pulled in on itself to preserve what little smouldering heat he could produce on his own.
He knew that face. Or he thought he did. But he cannot smell her.
Either way, a child never forgets their — Momma?
He hadn't expected to crumble in front of her the way he did. His knees buckle and he drops into the snowbanks, a boyish, otherworldly cry breaching his lips. He hadn't expected —
Why did she... look... like that?